Experts back alcohol calorie labelling

Recent research by Slimming Worldshowed that calorie labelling helps people to make informed and educated choices about how much they drink and the impact that alcohol consumption has on weight gain.

It is pressing for the Government to raise awareness of the calories contained in alcohol by supporting clear labelling on alcoholic drinks.

Today the Royal Society for Public Health backed Slimming World's position that alcohol labels should carry calorie counts like other food and drink products.

Health Committee member Andrew George MP has said:

“I congratulate Slimming Worldon its Campaign. I believe most people will be surprised at the amount of calories in alcoholic drinks. It's better that consumers know. Informed choice is crucial.”

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s Head of Nutrition and Research, said:

“People deserve to be given the information they need to be able to make healthy choices. Most non-alcoholic food and drink products display calorie information on the labels and we see no reason why alcohol should remain exempt.

"There is currently not enough guidance for the public on how drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can impact on weight.

"As well as a lack of awareness of the calories in alcohol, our research shows that drinking past a personal ‘tipping point’ can lead to people consuming an extra 6,300 calories of food and alcohol in 24 hours.

"Public health officials need to take action to raise awareness of how drinking too much alcohol can impact on weight-affecting lifestyle behaviours such as drinking more than intended, making more unhealthy food choices and cancelling physical activity plans."

The Royal Society for Public Health’s chief executive Shirley Cramer told the BBC:

"80% of adults have no idea what the calorie count is in anything they're drinking and if they do think they have an idea they totally underestimate it anyway.

"It could help the nation's waistlines as well as probably reduce alcohol consumption."

As well as campaigning for calorie labels on alcohol, Slimming World is calling for greater emphasis in public health campaigns of how drinking too much alcohol leads to unhealthy lifestyle choices and causes increased weight gain.

Public health minister Jane Ellison MP saidit was “positive” that people want more information.

"We have made great strides in food labelling and customers can see at a glance the calories they are consuming on many products,” she said.

"While it is already possible for alcohol producers and retailers to display calorie content on their labels, we will continue to look at what else can be done to help people make healthier lifestyle choices."